Last week we touched on the Green Bay Packers offense. Now it's time for the defense, so hold on.

Yes, it's a new year, but what will change? Yes, the Packers went out and got a new man at the helm of the defense and the third in three years. Do we think he's a miracle worker? Well, if he is, let's take a look at what he will be working with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Defensive line
I think I might of heard Jim Bates singing the old Beatles song: "HELP, I NEED SOMEBODY" because he needs it. Let's start with Colin Cole. I liked what I saw in him last year, but again, he's young and inconsistent. Notice this theme - young and unproven.

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is a good pass rusher and that's what he is. Stop right there. He's not an every-down DE, he's a specialist and that's rushing the passer period. Against the rush he gets abused over and over again.

At the other end you have a very good hard-working guy in Aaron Kampman that gives everything he has. But the problem is if Kampman's the guy then the defense is in trouble. I like him, but he's just not, in my opinion, a starting end on a real good team in the NFL.

Then there's Grady Jackson, a beast when he is healthy, but how much can he be counted on especially with a bad wheel? He

Harsh but probably more true than most will admit. The D really needs an overhaul and I'm guessing that'll start to begin at the end of this season. Hopefully Carroll can make some big strides this year and cut down on penalties. And we all know anything can happen in the season-lol maybe we'll be a top 10 D! But really i'm just going to hope Favre, Green and co. can rack up plenty of points on the other side of the ball to ensure we win some games.

I can't wait till GB gets an awesome D-I far prefer to defence to offence even if it is not as much fun to watch

I don't mind the negativity because at least it's honest, as opposed to some of the other "it's always 75 and sunny, and the muskies and walleyes are leaping into the boat" style reports you get from some other sites, eg. Packers.com

As for Carrol...minicamp doesn't mean a lot, but if the season started today, word going around up here in GB is that Thomas would be starting.

Wow, nobody can accuse Sydney of being a homer. I do like his take on the Hunt situation. I noticed he doesn't mention Thompson in his linebacker evaluation. I thought he was expected to take Navies spot.

I think the "lashing out" is too presumptuous and waaaay too soon.
All we have to go on, is what we've already seen - there have been years previous where the same banter was given and then summarily proven WRONG!

Step back - drink a 'tall cool one'... and relax!
You're all gettin yer panties in a wad before the Date even starts!

Man, I know we're not loaded with talent on defense but Syd sounds like we may as well not even show up. Does he think all the other teams are rock solid at every position? I still believe the Packers D will be better than last year, like around the middle of the league.

Man, I know we're not loaded with talent on defense but Syd sounds like we may as well not even show up. Does he think all the other teams are rock solid at every position? I still believe the Packers D will be better than last year, like around the middle of the league.

Click to expand...

Again - AGREED.... and much more on track with the current situation....

Steel - I DON'T drink the kool-aid anywhere.... I'm a conservative ...and proud of it - also the creator of the IPB Club motto which is my SIG....

From what I've read of your postings - they do have the ability to be informative - yet they are almost ALWAYS negative in nature.. as if your glass is never anything but half-empty.. while the rest of us are half-full.. of "Packer pride & optimism"...

You have your right to look at the Packers in your own way - that's fine - but let's not denigrate everyone else for not jumping on YOUR bandwagon... (That is the way your responses read back, and feel, to us.. or me at least - yet I have noticed others coming back at you on this level for the same issue, as well. We're not Tampa Bay Yucs fans around here... meaning, easily led.

We can do our own figuring out whether the Packers are dropping the ball or not....! And, IMHO - that's NOT happening... Next year, with all of the Contracts coming due - will be Ted Thompson's biggest test --- THAT's when I'll start worrying about where the Packers success or failure will end up.

You like being NEGATIVE (good for you) - "We'd" rather be... POSITIVE ! ! ! !

Nice post IPBprez...while some in this forum want to make sure that no one sees anything positive coming out of Lombardi Avenue, I'd rather focus on the things I personally feel about this upcoming season. I will not post about how the Packers are a lock to win 12 games or win a SB but I'm not putting them in the tank just yet. The Packers "D" was embarrassed last season and if they have any pride in them whatsoever, they'll be better just by effort alone. Did I say that they will dominate defensively? NO!!! Just saying that our team is in better shape than some realize and that's a good thing! :lol:

our defense did not get that much worse by losing darren sharper, or benching mark roman, or by cleditus hunt FINALLY playing his way out of a starting job.

our defense did not get that much better by signing earl little, arturo freeman...drafting collins/underwood...signing raynoch thompson...drafting platoon d-linemen

we're gonna be an average-to-below average defensive team next year. Face it, and...
HOPE TO GOD that:
-With Jim Bates come fundamendals that were non existent in '04---TACKLING, ball stripping, staying in your zones...COVERING BACKS IN THE FLAT (most important)
-With Jim Bates come turnovers, Little and Freeman pick off a decent amount of balls, hope its contageous
-SOMEONE steps in next to grady at DT and PLAYS--our d-line was useless, mainly because it was a man down any time Cleditus Hunt is in the game--whether it be Jenkins, Lee, Montgomery, Washington, someone needs to step in and give 100%
-someone other than #94 can get to the QB...a tie for 2nd place on our sack list (jenkins and kampman) with 4.5 sacks!!! We need able d-linemen to give KGB some space, and i'm confident that Bates will arrange our blitzes better than blitzin' bob did.